The final conference agenda for Drive to Digital 2018: The future of radio, sponsored by Arqiva, has been announced and can be downloaded here.

The conference taking place on 25 September at The British Museum Conference Centre, is hosted by Hits Radio presenter Gethin Jones and features talks from Paul Sylvester, Content Director Absolute Radio and Travis Baxter, Bauer Media.

You can register for a free ticket by contacting: lucy.forster@digitalradiouk.com. 

Joining Gethin Jones are a packed line up of senior speakers from broadcasting, supply chain, the automotive sector, the audio market and podcasters, all sharing their views on the future of radio. 

Proceedings kick off with writer, broadcaster and Observer radio critic, Miranda Sawyer interviewing Ian O’Neill from the DCMS with update on Government policy following a video address by Digital Minister of State, Margot James MP.

Delegates will hear from Bauer Media, BBC, Global, and Arqiva about their drive to digital, great digital content and coverage improvements. Wireless will be talking about their investment in digital radio, including Chris Evans’ move to Virgin Radio, and Absolute Radio will discuss their celebratory 10 years as a digital radio trail-blazer. 

The session The Podcast Revolution: What’s next? features the BBC’s Podcast Commissioner, Jason Phipps; Audioboom’s Ruth Fitzsimons; Acast’s Sophie Herdman; and new speaker Efe Jerome, the founder of the Shout Out Network. All in conversation with Folder Media’s Matt Deegan, responsible for the Fun Kids podcast network and helping to deliver the British Podcast Awards and the Love Island podcast – The Morning After.

 John Lewis will talk about what’s next in the new audio market along with Deezer and market analysts, Futuresource. We’ll also hear from conference sponsor and leading audio manufacturer Pure, techUK and new speaker, WorldDAB’s Jacky Bierhorst on European digital radio developments. Digital radio and audio in cars will be covered by Harman Samsung, drinks reception sponsors, DTS Connected Radio, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Former BBC Director of Radio, Helen Boaden, will share her thoughts on the drive to digital and the Rt Hon Ed Vaizey MP, former Culture and Digital Minister and now co-chair of the All Party Commercial Radio Group, together with Dianne Fuller, Global Sales Director, Roberts Radio, will be presenting the awards to the new Digital Radio Hall of Fame Inductees.

Event details:

When: Tuesday 25 September 2018.

Registration and exhibition from 12.30 – 1.25pm

Conference from 1.25pm – 5.30pm

DTS Connected Radio Drinks Reception from 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Where: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG

Media partners, RadioToday, our media partner, will share regular updates on the Drive to Digital line up.

For more information: lucy.forster@digitalradiouk.com